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Sunshine Coast | The Ultimate Travel Guide

Your guide to this Queensland coastal holiday hotspot

Alex Keshen
Alex Keshen

Updated

Fact checked
Beach in Noosa, Queensland

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Located just over an hour from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast is home to pristine beaches, lush hinterland and an all-around relaxing atmosphere.
The area's comprised of a handfuls of beachside suburbs, with Noosa, Mooloolaba and Caloundra being some of the major hubs for hotels and resorts.

There's a major airport located in Maroochydore, with direct flights available to Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Connections to other Australian cities are available, or arrivals into Brisbane's airport are available.

Everything you need for a visit to the Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Travel Guides

Hotels

Hotels, apartments, hometays and more on the Sunshine Coast.

Hotels

Flights

Best flight deals and information on flying to the Sunshine Coast.

Flights

Things to do

Zoos, national parks, beaches, theme parks and much more.

Things to do

Best time to go

Best time to experience the beaches, national parks and more.

Best time to go

Travel insurance

Why you should consider travel insurance for your next Aussie trip.

Travel insurance

Travel deals

Latest deals on flights, hotels, activities and more.

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Getting around on the Sunshine Coast

Spread across 60km of prime Queensland coastline, there's plenty of places to visit along the Sunshine Coast. Luckily, navigating your way around is simple with the right know-how.

Below we've outlined your transport options as well ads the best apps to download before you arrive so that you'll know exactly how to get from A to B quickly, cheaply and easily.

Sunshine Coast public transport

Types of transport: Noosa and the Sunshine Coast's transport service is TransLink. Buses, trams, trains and ferries operate under this system. Suburbs within the Sunshine Coast are walkable but as the Sunshine Coast is a region, it's best to use public transport or hire a car to see all the sights.

Paying for transport: The go card is TransLink's electronic ticket. It lets you ride all its services without having to purchase individual tickets by pre-loading it with funds. The go card can be used on public transport in greater Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. It can also be used on Brisbane's Airtrain. Cards can be purchased and topped up online or at local retailers. You can find more information on the TransLink website here.

Best apps for getting around: The MyTransApp is the official app for Noosa and the Sunshine Coast's TransLink services. Its features include a journey planner, a trip announcer which allows you to see upcoming stops and your remaining journey time, a stop timetable and stop finder. You can download the MyTransApp from the Apple store here.

Taxis and Rideshare

Cabs: Taxis are available throughout the Sunshine Coast and can be pre-booked or hailed on the street. Suncoast Cabs operates out of Sunshine Coast Airport. Fares to Noosa with them are estimated to be $74.10 and will incur a $3 taxi service fee.

Uber: On-demand ride service Uber is available throughout the Sunshine Coast. uberX, uberASSIST and uberSELECT vehicles operate out of Sunshine Coast Airport. uberX fares to Noosa are estimated to be $40–$54.

Airport transfers on the Sunshine Coast

Shared transfer: Sunshine Coast Airport to hotel from $13
Shared transfer: Sunshine Coast Airport to hotel from $13

Viator

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Shared transfer: Hotel to Sunshine Coast Airport from $13
Shared transfer: Hotel to Sunshine Coast Airport from $13

Viator

View details

Other car hire services

Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Redspot and Thrifty are all located in the arrivals hall of the terminal. It's recommended that you pre-book your car prior to arrival to ensure your rate and car preference. Not sure which to go with? DriveNow and Jayride are car hire comparison service that can help you find the best deal and book your vehicle easily online.

Frequently asked questions about the Sunshine Coast

Where is the Sunshine Coast?

The Sunshine Coast is located in the state of Queensland. It's situated approximately 100 km north of Brisbane in south east Queensland. The Sunshine Coast is set on the Pacific Ocean coastline.

The Sunshine Coast starts roughly at Caloundra and continues through to Cooloola, which is near Fraser Island.

Where is Sunshine Coast Airport?

Sunshine Coast Airport is situated approximately 10km north of Maroochydore. Sunshine Coast Airport is located on Friendship Avenue in Marcoola, Queensland.

Sunshine Coast Airport is mainly a domestic airport. However, Air New Zealand do operate three times per week offering international flights between Auckland and Sunshine Coast seasonally from July to September.

Which airlines fly to the Sunshine Coast?

Qantas operates the domestic flights between Sydney and the Sunshine Coast, with connecting flights available to other destinations. Jetstar offers direct flights to Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney, and Virgin flies direct to Melbourne and Sydney. Tigerair does not currently operate at the Sunshine Coast.

Where is Sunshine Coast hinterland?

The hinterland lies in the shadow of the magnificent Glass House Mountains. It's situated a short drive inland from the bustling beaches of the Sunshine Coast, and is comprised of 11 towns including Maleny, Flaxton, Mapleton and Glasshouse.

Where is Sunshine Coast stadium?

Sunshine Coast Stadium is located at Kawana Waters on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. The stadium is the main venue in a sporting precinct that also includes seven fields. The stadium plays host to events including international, national, state and local sporting games, as well as training camps and community events. It even anchors major music and entertainment extravaganzas.

Sunshine Coast travel deals

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AirbnbAirbnb

Australia stays from $13 per night

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Up to 20% off + Extra $50 off Queensland getaways

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